All posts tagged German consumers

Here’s a bit of light-hearted fun for Valentine’s Day. If your post bag wasn’t overflowing with greeting cards this morning, don’t worry, it was likely worse in Germany. Caitlan Carroll reports from Frankfurt.

A walk down Frankfurt’s main shopping drag, Die Zeil, reveals only a sprinkling of subtle Valentine’s Day decorations. There are few romance-themed sales signs here in Germany, where Cupid’s consumer arrows haven’t found a mark among shoppers somewhat ambivalent to the holiday.

Reuters

At a chocolate store empty of customers, salesperson Maria Casciaro said: “Years ago, Valentine’s Day was more popular. But now, it’s mostly only young people who like to buy little things.” She added that in her home country of Italy, people would be lining up to buy chocolate.

Martin Daucker, 21, is one of those young people still charmed by the holiday. He leaves the jewelry shop across the street holding a small red bag. He wanted to find “something classic” for his girlfriend. So he bought her a charm necklace.

Mr. Daucker paid 60 euros ($81) for his girlfriend’s present, more than the average German, who typically spends between €10 and €25 on Valentine’s Day gifts. Compare that to U.S. consumers, who are expected to spend more than 90 euro on Valentine’s gifts this year, according to a survey.

Germany may not experience the same kind of Valentine’s Day sales rush seen in the United States, but some sectors do get a small lift, according to German retail experts.